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FROM THE FIELD

Political deal ends fear of violence in Kenya
03 Mar 2008 10:47:29 GMT
 Source: ActionAid
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Background

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Tension has turned to celebration in most places hit by post election violence in Kenya, following the brokering of a political deal (on 28 February) between President Mwai Kibaki and his main political rival the Hon. Raila Odinga.

Arguing that the deal has helped to set in motion the restructuring of governance systems, Shem Ochola, ActionAid Kenya policy officer said: "This deal has helped to diffuse tensions, thus creating an environment for purposeful engagement by all parties to the conflict."

The deal saw the re-creation of the position of Prime Minister, scrapped by the first president of Kenya two years after independence in 1964; it will be taken to parliament for enactment and for any necessary amendments to the constitution.

The agreement allows the position of Prime Minister to go to the leader with the largest party in parliament, in this case Raila Odinga.

The prime ministerial post and two new deputy positions can only be removed through a parliamentary vote of no confidence. Even a party without a parliamentary majority can have a stake in government through the deputy prime ministers’ positions.

Shem Ochola continued: "ActionAid has been campaigning for a parliamentary system of governance to devolve and check power from the presidency for the last 10 years.

"Whilst this is only the first stage of constitutional reform, it is an important first step. We hope it will encourage parliament to play a more active role in the running of the country and so help prevent further troubles in any future election."

Yet Shem Ochola cautioned that the results of the agreement only addressed the immediate political crisis following the disputed presidential election results.  

He said: "Reforms should also address inequalities of resource distribution including land, youth unemployment and encourage the setting up of a truth and reconciliation commission."




[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Emergencies

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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A man talks to reporters at his burnt house after post-election violence in the outskirts of Molo, 180 km (110 miles) west of Nairobi February 28, 2008. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra(KENYA) ...


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Last updated:Mon Mar 3 10:51:46 2008